1-8. That’s the record for the Bulls in the month of February.
What a long and cold month in Chicago. All-Star Weekend came and went and the focus is back to the lovable lottery team. Zero All-Stars and an eight-game losing streak set the tone for what was a disastrous month of basketball. If we’re going all-in on how much losing is taking place, remember the Bulls lost the last two games of January as well.
This team stinks, it’s really that simple. The Bulls haven’t won three consecutive games all season. Decimated by injury and bad luck since the year started, the path forward is a murky one.
Otto Porter Jr. has been sorely missed since early November. The small forward positon has been filled by committee since and has been one of the weakest links in the Bulls armor. Having been off the court so long, his first game back was spectacular, going for 18 points on 11 shots. While Porter Jr’s performance was the shot in the arm the Bulls needed, his legs aren’t back to game shape as he only score one bucket in the same clip of minutes against the T’wolves. When an athlete misses so much time, its natural. Its only OPJ’s second game back after only playing nine games in total. Put the pitchforks down.
Lauri Marrkanen returned to action and played his first game since January 22nd and he looked fluid doing so. Despite only scoring 13 points, he did it in a variety ways. Catch-and-shoot 3’s, a couple of great drives to the basket, but was most impressive was his play in the paint.
Before going down in January, Markkanen was widely criticized for his lack of physicality on both sides of the floor. Albeit only one game, there were flashes of promise. Lauri was seen taking the ball into the teeth of the defense and often. If there were two plays that stuck out the most, it was the missed three pointer turned second chance bucket and Markkanen’s calling for the ball on a post up. After bricking the jumper off the pass from Ryan Arcidiacono, Lauri worked himself back into the flow and finished at the rim. When Markkanen called for the ball then hit a turnaround jumper, the glory days of the Finnisher’s rookie year was visible. That’s the power forward the Bulls have lacked desperately.
The Bulls have already won 50% of the games won in February and with remaining core players returning, chemistry and development should be the focus. This is where we are this year, gobbling up rare victories like its Thanksgiving dinner.
Christan Creates 